Telescopic Board Lifter Chain Mast to Prevent Cable Jamming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lifting mechanisms for construction boards are unsafe, noisy, prone to cable wear and jamming, and require complex hand operation, making them difficult to handle and maintain.
Innovation Solution
A cable-free lifting mechanism with a telescopic mast comprising three segments and an internal chain system driven by an electric motor, featuring ergonomic controls and safety sensors for easy, reliable, and quiet operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a winch mechanism with metal cables is used for lifting, then the lifting function is achieved, but the cables wear rapidly and can break or fray, risking injury to the user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the cable system entirely from the lifting mechanism, replacing it with a rack and pinion system where the pinion gear engages directly with the rack on the telescopic element. This extraction of the harmful cable component eliminates wear, fraying, and breakage risks while maintaining the lifting function through direct mechanical engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the cable-based mechanical system with a gear-based mechanical system. The rack and pinion mechanism provides positive mechanical engagement without the sliding friction and wear characteristic of cable systems, offering more reliable and maintainable operation.
2Reliability
If a winch mechanism is used for lifting, then the lifting function is achieved, but the mechanism is very noisy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the noisy winch drum and cable spooling mechanism with a quieter rack and pinion gear system. The gear engagement produces significantly less noise compared to the friction and slapping sounds of cable-based systems, while maintaining reliable lifting functionality.
3Reliability
If a cable reeving system is used to erect telescopic movable elements, then the lifting function is achieved, but the system has high weight and bulk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the heavy cable reeving system entirely, replacing it with a compact rack and pinion mechanism. The rack is integrated directly onto the telescopic element, eliminating the need for multiple cables, pulleys, and tensioning components, thereby significantly reducing the overall weight and bulk of the apparatus.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If a rack driven by a handwheel with reduction gear system is used, then the noise is reduced and safety is improved, but the system requires complex hand operation with emergency brake control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex handwheel, reduction gear system, and emergency brake mechanisms, retaining only the essential rack and pinion engagement. This simplification maintains the quiet operation and safety benefits while dramatically improving ease of operation through direct mechanical control.
5Extent of automation
If an endless screw engaged with a nut bearing is used for motorized actuation, then the lifting function is achieved, but the engagement zone is critical and requires optimal thickness to prevent warping or excessive weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the endless screw and nut bearing system with a rack and pinion gear system. This substitution eliminates the critical engagement zone thickness problem inherent in screw systems, as the gear engagement is more tolerant of dimensional variations and does not require the same level of precision in the engagement interface.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The mechanism ensures safe, rapid, and harmonious lifting and lowering of construction boards without cable wear or jamming, allowing single-user operation and easy maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor, characterised in that the chain is arranged inside the fixed segment and forms a loop engaged around a first pinion arranged at an upper end of the fixed segment and around a second pinion arranged at a lower end of the fixed segment, one of the two pinions being engaged with a control shaft of a means for rotating the shaft
Implementation Method 2
a chain arranged inside the fixed segment and forming a loop engaged around a first pinion arranged at an upper end of the fixed segment and around a second pinion arranged at a lower end of the fixed segment
Data Source
AI summary
The invention proposes a board lifter mechanism that is safe, easy to handle, quiet, rapid and ensures harmonious raising and lowering, without risk of jamming. The device comprises a telescopic mast comprising three segments (12), a chain (20) arranged inside the fixed segment (12) around two pinions (121-122), one of which is driven by a motor, a lower end of the end movable segment being fastened to the chain (20). The segments include respective drive stops so that the mast is deployed and withdrawn depending on the rotation of the chain.